I already took a day off at work and booked a hostel for the weekend, but haven't booked the train or boat yet. I hope the weather will be good enough to travel to Brighton by motorcycle, if it's not I might have to cancel at the latest moment, but I think it should be do-able.

I'm going to be there both days but I think I'll be working on the Ms Cupcake stall on both days. I'm definitely free to hang out after the fair on the Saturday night, we could go for dinner or drinks / a walk on the beach if we've eaten so much food that we can't face any more!

Definitely thinking about this, but I'd have to buy transport tickets soon before it's too expensive. Rachell, how are you getting there- plane or train? Anyone have suggestions of places to stay?

I was considering the Adastral Hotel in Hove - it's within walking distance of the venue - but I'm liking the look of the price of the hostel room. I've only stayed in a hostel once or twice, but it won't be any worse than a yurt!

I'm taking the train because I can't guarantee I'll have my travel documents back in time to fly. Even so, I've just looked at prices on Easyjet, and it works out to about the same cost as the train. So I'll get the first train to London on the Saturday, but I haven't decided if I want to book an open return to Brighton or just go with the cheapest singles. Train prices are less likely to go up than plane tickets, and it usually works out cheaper to book the two legs of the journey separately (and to book singles rather than returns).

_________________A pie eating contest is a battle with no losers. - amandabear

Ok, Adastral Hotel is a good price. And it's really just to have somewhere to stay for a night- we'll probably be out most of the time anyway.

I haven't traveled much here, so my next question is: why get a train into London when you can get a train to Brighton? Or do trains just go to London and then out from there? If I took a plane, I'd fly into London, then (which airport?) and then get a train to Brighton? Sorry I don't know any of this.

Ok, Adastral Hotel is a good price. And it's really just to have somewhere to stay for a night- we'll probably be out most of the time anyway.

I haven't traveled much here, so my next question is: why get a train into London when you can get a train to Brighton? Or do trains just go to London and then out from there? If I took a plane, I'd fly into London, then (which airport?) and then get a train to Brighton? Sorry I don't know any of this.

The train from Edinburgh gets in to King's Cross, but the train from London to Brighton leaves from Victoria or London Bridge. So it's easier to book Edi-KGX then Victoria-Brighton because you then have more and cheaper options. If you want to check out prices, www.thetrainline.com is a good site.

Like mendelian said, the best airport to fly into would be Gatwick, then get the train to Brighton from there. But here's what you're looking at time-wise: 30+ minutes to get to the airport (unless you live close), 60+ minutes waiting for the flight, 90 minutes for the flight, 30 minutes to get from the north terminal to the south terminal for the train, and then 30+ minutes to Brighton. The train might take slightly longer, but you're just sitting that whole time (until you get to London, of course). So I would recommend the train (but I'm lazy and would rather sit for 4 1/2 hours than dash about and get there an hour earlier).

If you want to save some money but still stay at a hotel rather than a hostel, we can see if 2 other people (fisticuffs and her man?) want to go in on a quadruple at the Adastral for about £32 each (doubles and triples are already sold out). And I'm happy to make the booking as long as I get reimbursed. Otherwise I might go for the hostel since it's half as much and just as close to the venue.

_________________A pie eating contest is a battle with no losers. - amandabear

If you want to save some money but still stay at a hotel rather than a hostel, we can see if 2 other people (fisticuffs and her man?) want to go in on a quadruple at the Adastral for about £32 each (doubles and triples are already sold out). And I'm happy to make the booking as long as I get reimbursed. Otherwise I might go for the hostel since it's half as much and just as close to the venue.

If you want to save some money but still stay at a hotel rather than a hostel, we can see if 2 other people (fisticuffs and her man?) want to go in on a quadruple at the Adastral for about £32 each (doubles and triples are already sold out). And I'm happy to make the booking as long as I get reimbursed. Otherwise I might go for the hostel since it's half as much and just as close to the venue.

If you want to book a quadruple, we're in!

Excellent. Meggs, what say you?

_________________A pie eating contest is a battle with no losers. - amandabear

When are you (Rachel, Meggs) thinking of arriving in London? Maybe we can travel down to Brighton together?

I don't actually know how to get money through paypal. Do I just tell you the email address to send it to? I could never get mine sorted, so it would have to be my husband's. Will the money go to his card or what? (I'm useless.) Oh, and it's £63.

Unless ticket prices go up again, I'll probably get in around 12 or 1. That's the earliest I can get there. I'm happy to meet up in London and travel with you, but I don't want to hold you back!

_________________A pie eating contest is a battle with no losers. - amandabear

Well, you need a paypal account, so I guess it'll be your husband's then. If it's linked to his bank account you have the option to get it tranferred there. If it's linked to a credit card it goes there. Unless if you prefer cash ofcourse!